US Government Proposes Ban on Chinese Airlines Using Russian Airspace

The US government has proposed a ban on Chinese airlines that use Russian airspace for flights to and from the United States. This decision stems from concerns that US carriers, which cannot access Russian airspace due to ongoing military actions in Ukraine, face a competitive disadvantage. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) highlighted that this situation creates “substantial adverse competitive effects on US air carriers,” prompting the government to take action against those airlines that overfly Russia.

Current Chinese Airlines Operating US Routes

In light of these developments, it is essential to examine the Chinese airlines currently operating routes to the US, including the aircraft types and frequencies involved. According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Air China leads the way with the most flights and seats on US routes in October 2025, boasting 124 flights and 41,912 seats. This translates to an average of two round trips per day, although these flights are spread across five different routes. Most of these routes commence in Beijing (PEK), with the exception of a Boeing 777 service from Shenzhen (SZX) to Los Angeles (LAX).

The Beijing routes consist of flights to Washington (IAD) and New York (JFK), which utilize the Boeing 747, while services to LAX and San Francisco (SFO) operate with the Boeing 777. Notably, the routes from Beijing and Shenzhen to LAX are among the four that currently traverse Russian airspace. Floris de Haan, an aviation expert, noted, “People primarily choose based on price, frequency, convenience, and travel time. Not what an airline pays to the countries they fly over. They often don’t even know what countries they’re flying over.”

Other Major Chinese Carriers

Two other significant players in the market, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, also maintain a robust presence on US routes. China Eastern reports 105 flights this month, averaging more than one round trip daily. All its routes originate from Shanghai, with the carrier deploying the Boeing 777-300ER for daily flights to LAX. Additionally, it operates three weekly flights to SFO and two weekly flights to JFK, with the latter route also overflying Russia.

China Southern has a total of 88 flights this month, translating to 44 round trips. Its primary route links Guangzhou with LAX 22 times each way, also using the Boeing 777-300ER. This aircraft model is further utilized for flights to JFK and SFO, as well as from Wuhan to SFO. Notably, the Boeing 787-9 is also employed on two routes to SFO.

While these major carriers dominate the market, smaller airlines are also making their mark. Xiamen Airlines operates two US routes, both of which do not overfly Russia. The airline uses the Boeing 787-9, with three weekly rotations from Xiamen (XMN) to LAX and two from Fuzhou (FOX) to JFK.

Hainan Airlines maintains a limited presence, with its most frequented route operating thrice weekly from Beijing to Boston (BOS), again utilizing the Boeing 787-9. This route returns to Beijing via Brussels, rather than a direct flight. The airline also operates a weekly flight from Haikou (HAK) to Seattle (SEA) via Chongqing (CKG) and a non-stop service from Beijing to Seattle twice a week.

Completing the picture is Sichuan Airlines, which has a singular route to the US. This service connects Chengdu (TFU) to LAX, featuring a total of 13 outbound and nine inbound flights scheduled for this month, operated by Airbus A350 aircraft.

As the situation evolves, the implications of the US government’s proposed ban on Chinese airlines using Russian airspace will likely continue to impact the landscape of international aviation. The focus remains on how these developments will affect competition, routes, and ultimately, the choices available to travelers.